Sports
Kevin Kilbane admits Wilfried Nancy will be a success at Celtic
Celtic fans have been told ‘exceptional’ Wifried Nancy would be the perfect appointment.
The Hoops hierarchy are working hard behind the scenes to secure a permanent successor for Brendan Rodgers, with the Columbus Crew boss the No1 contender.
Former Republic of Ireland star Kevin Kilbane — who is an MLS pundit and Celtic fan — has offered reassurance to fellow supporters who have any doubts over the main name in the frame.
He has listed a host of key characteristics he would bring to the table and branded his achievements in MLS as ‘remarkable.’
He’s hailed the Frenchman as tactically ‘incredible’ while insisting he is a real players’ coach and if the Hoops can get a deal over the line it could really prove a hit for all involved.
‘He’s an exceptional coach – genuinely – and I think he could go really well at Celtic.’
Speaking to Betway Insider, he said: “Columbus had good players, and they were clearly looking to bring in a coach like him, but you never saw them as serious MLS Cup contenders. And he won it in his first year at Columbus.
“He honestly did remarkable things. Within MLS, what he’s achieved has been outstanding.
“He’s a really, really good coach. I’ve spoken to him quite a lot, actually – had conversations with him on the phone when he was in Montreal.
“Tactically, he’s incredible. Brilliant to speak to. He understands the game, he understands players, he’s a players’ coach. Very calm, doesn’t get overexcited on the touchline, doesn’t go looking for attention.
“So, when I saw him linked with the Celtic job, I knew a lot of Celtic supporters would be asking, “Who’s this guy?”
“But I can assure you – and I’m a Celtic fan myself – I was really happy when I saw his name linked. I thought, if they can get him in, this would be one that sneaks under the radar.
“He’s an exceptional coach – genuinely – and I think he could go really well at Celtic.
“Now, I’m not saying it will happen. I saw this week that Martin O’Neill is being extended in the position until the managerial search is completed.
“But if they get Nancy in, mark my words: it would not be a bad appointment. Far from it.
“Because of what he’s done over here, because of the coach he is, I think he’s ready for the next step. Nancy would be one who could really bring success.”
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will continue in their interim roles as the hunt goes on in the background.
They are preparing the champions for the return from the international break as they get set to face St Mirren under the lights in Paisley on Saturday night.
The duo have taken charge of four games to date with two Premiership wins and progress to the Premier Sports Cup Final achieved with an extra-time win over rivals Rangers.
They lost out in the Europa League on the road at FC Midtjylland as they bid to maintain a perfect league record in the dugout at the Buddies.
Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew record
Games – 136
Wins – 71
Draws – 32
Losses – 33
Trophies – MLS Cup Champion 22/23
*Stats from transfermarkt*
Sports
Crystal Palace Target Celtic Midfielder Arne Engels in Summer Transfer
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a Celtic star in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri.
The Eagles will be looking to enjoy an impressive summer transfer window as they look to back new manager Pierre Sage, who joined the club earlier this month.
Sage came in to replace Oliver Glasner, and he has some big shoes to fill, considering the Austrian manager won three trophies during his time at the club.
Glasner decided to leave Selhurst Park at the end of his contract just days after they lifted the Europa Conference League title.
The former Palace boss often complained about the lack of ambition from the club in terms of recruitment, so it will be interesting to see how much they back Sage this summer.
Crystal Palace Plotting Shock Transfer Return As First Pierre Sage Signing
Crystal Palace are closing in on Pierre Sage as their new head coach, and a few signings appear to be lined up.
Crystal Palace Eyeing Celtic Man
According to a report from Sky Sports journalist Tavolieri, Crystal Palace are in the race to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer transfer window.
Palace are hoping to convince Engels, described as ‘outstanding’ by former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, to join the club and beat Nottingham Forest to his signature.
Reports suggested last month that Engels is one to watch for the summer transfer window, with a departure from the club planned.
Although a Belgian international, Engels failed to make the World Cup squad for this summer.
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Palace May Need Midfield Reinforcements
One of Crystal Palace’s priority positions in the summer transfer window could be to bring in a new midfielder for Sage.
Adam Wharton has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with reports claiming that Liverpool are plotting a move to secure his signature this summer.
Daichi Kamada is also out of contract, although Palace have confirmed they are in talks over a new deal. If both leave, they will be desperately in need of midfield reinforcements.
Palace also need to bring in players that are going to suit Sage’s style, so it could be a busy summer transfer window for the Eagles.
Sports
Supercomputer Predicts Top 25 in Full
The third major of the 2026 golf season, the US Open, is on the horizon.
The tournament, which will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, New York, begins on Thursday, June 18 and will conclude four days later on Sunday, June 22.
A tough week is in store for the best golfers in the world. The last time the tournament took place in Long Island was in 2018, and it was Brooks Koepka who battled his way to victory.
The American could only muster an overall score of one-over par, but that was enough for him to retain his title as he navigated the tricky conditions better than the rest of the field.
The tournament is expected to play very tough once again this year. On the eve of the tournament, GrokAI has been asked to predict the final top 25 in full, with the winner once again finishing over par.
25-11
Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have both won the US Open before. The American won his maiden major title in 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club, before winning the tournament again in 2024. The Spaniard, meanwhile, was triumphant in 2021.
Despite their success in the tournament and being among the very best golfers in the world right now, AI is not expecting either player to challenge at the top of the leaderboard.
Koepka, who like DeChambeau has won two US Open titles before, is predicted to finish just outside the top 20 on +11, alongside compatriots Daniel Berger and Maverick McNealy.
Three players are expected to finish on +10, including European Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland, while Englishman Justin Rose is one of four players that AI thinks will end the tournament on +9.
Aaron Rai produced an incredible performance to win this year’s PGA Championship in May, becoming the first English winner of the tournament since Jim Barnes in 1919.
AI thinks that Rai, now 14th in the official world golf rankings, will finish just outside the top 10 at +8.
|
AI Predicts 2026 US Open Top 25 (25-11) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Final Position |
Player |
Nationality |
Score |
|
25 |
Bryson DeChambeau |
United States |
+13 |
|
24 |
Jon Rahm |
Spain |
+12 |
|
=21 |
Daniel Berger |
United States |
+11 |
|
=21 |
Maverick McNealy |
United States |
+11 |
|
=21 |
Brooks Koepka |
United States |
+11 |
|
=18 |
Viktor Hovland |
Norway |
+10 |
|
=18 |
Chris Gotterup |
United States |
+10 |
|
=18 |
Wyndham Clark |
United States |
+10 |
|
=14 |
Colin Morikawa |
United States |
+9 |
|
=14 |
Patrick Reed |
United States |
+9 |
|
=14 |
Sam Burns |
United States |
+9 |
|
=14 |
Justin Rose |
England |
+9 |
|
=11 |
Aaron Rai |
England |
+8 |
|
=11 |
JJ Spaun |
United States |
+8 |
|
=11 |
Patrick Cantlay |
United States |
+8 |
10-1
Scottie Scheffler is bidding to win the career Grand Slam this week. The world number 1 has triumphed at the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, but the US Open continues to allude him. He has finished inside the top seven on four occasions, but is yet to reign supreme.
Scheffler, considered one of the best golfers ever, has been in good form during 2026, but he has only won once – all the way back in January when he won The American Express.
AI doesn’t think he will become just the seventh player in golf history to complete the Grand Slam this week, as he’s predicted to finish on +6 alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Xander Schauffele, and one shot clear of Ludvig Aberg and SI Woo Kim.
Cameron Young has finished in the top four of all four majors, but he is yet to win his first one. AI thinks it’ll be another near-miss for the American at Shinnecock Hills as he finishes +5, alongside former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick.
European Ryder Cup stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are predicted to finish at +4, one shot off the eventual winner. The latter has form at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, having finished second in the 2018 US Open.
AI thinks that Russell Henley will break through and win his first major title this week. The 37-year-old has been in brilliant form this year and won the Charles Schwab Challenge just a few weeks ago. Explaining why it thinks Henley will be the surprise winner this year, GrokAI said:
“World #5 with elite precision irons, driving accuracy, and recent form. He led after Round 1 here in 2018 and is built for firm, windy setups like this. A deserving first major.”
|
AI Predicts 2026 US Open Top 25 (10-1) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Final Position |
Player |
Nationality |
Score |
|
=9 |
Ludvig Aberg |
Sweden |
+7 |
|
=9 |
Si Woo Kim |
South Korea |
+7 |
|
=6 |
Tyrrell Hatton |
England |
+6 |
|
=6 |
Xander Schauffele |
United States |
+6 |
|
=6 |
Scottie Scheffler |
United States |
+6 |
|
=4 |
Cameron Young |
United States |
+5 |
|
=4 |
Matt Fitzpatrick |
England |
+5 |
|
=2 |
Rory McIlroy |
Northern Ireland |
+4 |
|
=2 |
Tommy Fleetwood |
England |
+4 |
|
1 |
Russell Henley |
United States |
+3 |
Sports
Piers Morgan Causes Stir With Lionel Messi Tweet After World Cup Hat-Trick
Piers Morgan has caused a stir with his reaction to Lionel Messi’s history-making hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, 39 next week, joined Germany legend Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals as La Albiceleste began the defence of their title in impressive fashion.
It was Argentina’s talismanic captain who opened the scoring with a stunning effort past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane – son of France great, Zinedine – in the 17th minute. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, widely regarded as the best footballer in history, added two more goals in the second half before going off to a standing ovation shortly afterwards.
“To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment,” Messi, named Player of the Match, told reporters after the final whistle.
“The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group. I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game.
“I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again.
“Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve all my dreams – or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving – both professionally and personally.”
Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings
Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2026.
Piers’ Social Media Post About Messi
Piers Morgan has made no secret of the fact he believes Cristiano Ronaldo, who he’s interviewed on several occasions in recent years and now considers a friend, is superior to Messi.
This is despite the fact that Piers himself once labelled Messi as the better player, insisting “any further debate is superfluous”.
However, that deleted tweet was posted long before Piers became pally with Cristiano. The British broadcaster now holds a very different view regarding football’s GOAT debate.
In fact, Messi failed to even make Morgan’s all-time World Cup XI, which he named last week.
While Piers conceded that Messi produced a “brilliant performance” on Tuesday – presumably through gritted teeth – the former tabloid newspaper editor added: “but he should have been sent off for this outrageous studs-up foul on Algeria’s Mandi. The fact he didn’t even get booked is ridiculous – could have broken the guy’s leg.”
Now, Piers isn’t alone in thinking that Messi was fortunate to avoid punishment. ESPN pundits Nedum Onuoha and Ale Moreno were in agreement that Argentina’s No. 10 should have been sent off and were confused why referee Szymon Marciniak wasn’t asked to review the incident by VAR.
However, many fans believe Morgan has used the incident as an excuse to downplay Messi’s latest masterclass.
“Man you are sick!” replied an Argentina fan on X (Twitter), while another football fan said: “Too early to start crying.”
A third supporter commented: “Get a grip, Piers. Appreciate greatness, you won’t die,” while a fourth added:
“Don’t try to act like an imposter by saying brilliant performance by Messi last night. You can’t live in a world where Messi shines bright. And we all know it how hard you try to downplay the legend.”
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A fifth supporter wrote: “Oh Tears Morgan – you never fail to surprise me. Softest accidental foul you’ll ever see. The world should be thankful the referee and VAR saw it as such The fact you’d be ecstatic at seeing the greatest player to ever step on a pitch be sent off for that is a testament to how much of a worm you really are.” Ouch.
All eyes will now be on Piers’ footballing hero Ronaldo as Portugal take on DR Congo in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday.
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